Tennessee’s new abstinence-only education laws may skyrocket their already disturbing teen pregnancy rate, but there's an upside. That is, if you own stock in Pampers or Gerber.
Just imagine what the backwoods politicians who passed that legislation would think about Nearly Naked Theatre and Phoenix Theatre’s regional premiere of Spring Awakening, the Tony award-winning musical that spotlights the sexual coming-of-age stories of a group of German adolescents (via alternative rock tunes from Duncan Sheik, no less).
Though controversial plotlines about homosexuality, masturbation, and abortion were enough to get the production’s 19th-century source material banned in several countries, director Damon Dering assures local viewers that they will relate. “I think audiences love the show because it deals frankly with the jolt that occurs to practically everyone when that change suddenly starts happening to your body,” he explains. “It’s a time that ultimately has a huge impact on the adult you will become.”
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sun., June 17, 6 p.m.; Sun., June 24, 6 p.m.; Sun., July 1, 2 p.m. Starts: June 15. Continues through July 1, 2012
